I think SK didn't want to push CNK into a high pressure situation as a rookie, so he kept Kata there until he could sign an experienced replacement. That's Kearneys process with regards to blooding rookies.

Kata was the incumbent center so all the pressure went on him, with CNK free to develop in reserves and pop up only when there was no way Kata could make the field.

Kata was the incumbent center so all the pressure went on him, with CNK free to develop in reserves and pop up only when there was no way Kata could make the field.

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CNK has been playing Wing or Fullback at ISP, I don't think they see him as a future centre option.

But he stays on the Raiders 6 and leaves Ken with a 2 on 1 over lap...

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That doesn't look like the best example to me - if he moves out to take his opposite number the 6 has a huge hole to run through as you can see Ata has already been beaten. I'd say the problem there is more Ken is backing off instead of pushing up on the 4 to cut off the pass option, he basically doesn't change position between your two pictures.

CNK has been playing Wing or Fullback at ISP, I don't think they see him as a future centre option.

That doesn't look like the best example to me - if he moves out to take his opposite number the 6 has a huge hole to run through as you can see Ata has already been beaten. I'd say the problem there is more Ken is backing off instead of pushing up on the 4 to cut off the pass option, he basically doesn't change position between your two pictures.

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For me the centers job is to control the edge defense. This is one of many trys that could have been stopped imo.

Force the Green player to go inside where there's traffic, and slide to cut off the easy chanell out wide. Kata should have called that play so that his inside defenders knew what to do. But instead he just marks up on the player he wants to tackle and leaves nothing for Ken..

No, not being insensitive but I believe it's an acknowledged challenge with English. Manu coddled Kata in Tongan. Now Vatuvei is gone it's shows..

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That makes sense to me, the timing as well. Having dealt a bit with non English speakers they are most at risk under real pressure and Ken is Samoan which might not help either. Memo for the recruitment department.

Kata needs to trust his inside players and push Ken out wide enough so that he can use the side line against the Raiders winger. Media has been hidden. Please Register to view.

But he stays on the Raiders 6 and leaves Ken with a 2 on 1 over lap... Media has been hidden. Please Register to view.

The strategy is to engage Hoffman in a tackle and then spin wide to Kata's edge and exploit the misread...... Works every time.

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jonno said:

For me the centers job is to control the edge defense. This is one of many trys that could have been stopped imo.

Force the Green player to go inside where there's traffic, and slide to cut off the easy chanell out wide. Kata should have called that play so that his inside defenders knew what to do. But instead he just marks up on the player he wants to tackle and leaves nothing for Ken..

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In principle I agree with you 100% Jonno, but in this example Orca has a point. Austin is already on the outside of Hingano and if Kata goes wider Austin goes through. It's a no win situation on this occasion for Kata

Looked well down on pace this year- too much weights and not enough speed work bro.
It was his pace (and ball greediness) that made him such a prolific try scorer. Without it he's limited to the old barge over from dummy half.
Hopefully this new fitness guru can sort that out. There's a couple of other guys too.

It's not exactly an idea I would support but it fits with the Warriors always swapping players positions.
With Beale and maybe Hiku coming what if he was turned into a second rower for next season.
He's small for the position but he's bigger than some of our props at the moment.
If he came on for short stints he could add a real attacking threat and should be able to handle the defensive work load for small amounts of time.

It's not exactly an idea I would support but it fits with the Warriors always swapping players positions.
With Beale and maybe Hiku coming what if he was turned into a second rower for next season.
He's small for the position but he's bigger than some of our props at the moment.
If he came on for short stints he could add a real attacking threat and should be able to handle the defensive work load for small amounts of time.

Hopefully the club get Kata the mental help he needs. I've been his biggest critic but he is much better than what he's been playing lately. Good preseason might be just what he needs. Hopefully one with a lot of draw and pass practice...

Hopefully the club get Kata the mental help he needs. I've been his biggest critic but he is much better than what he's been playing lately. Good preseason might be just what he needs. Hopefully one with a lot of draw and pass practice...

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Agreed, but playing him in FG isn't going to help his mental situation.

Agreed, but playing him in FG isn't going to help his mental situation.

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Didn't need that pressure that's for sure. Not a head doctor but sometimes they do argue for normalcy after tragic events. Not sure there's anything normal about playing NRL. Especially when you aren't playing well and are bound to read and hear what fans are thinking and saying...

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